'I years had been from home,' by Emily Dickinson

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay

I years had been from home,
And now, before the door,
I dared not open, lest a face
I never saw before

Stare vacant into mine
And ask my business there.
My business,--just a life I left,
Was such still dwelling there?

I fumbled at my nerve,
I scanned the windows near;
The silence like an ocean rolled,
And broke against my ear.

I laughed a wooden laugh
That I could fear a door,
Who danger and the dead had faced,
But never quaked before.

I fitted to the latch
My hand, with trembling care,
Lest back the awful door should spring,
And leave me standing there.

I moved my fingers off
As cautiously as glass,
And held my ears, and like a thief
Fled gasping from the house.

Editor 1 Interpretation

I years had been from home - A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

The works of Emily Dickinson have been a source of inspiration and fascination for literary enthusiasts for over a century. Her poems, though short and concise, pack a punch with their unconventional syntax, vivid imagery, and introspective themes. One of her most notable poems is "I years had been from home," which explores the concept of identity and the search for one's true self. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the themes, stylistic devices, and imagery used in the poem.

Poem Analysis

Structure and Form

The poem "I years had been from home" is a three-stanza poem with an ABCB rhyme scheme. Each stanza consists of four lines, and the poem is written in iambic tetrameter. The consistent rhyme scheme and meter give the poem a musical quality, allowing the reader to be drawn in and carried along by the rhythm of the lines. The poem is also written in a conversational tone, as if the speaker is confiding in the reader, which makes the poem feel more personal and relatable.

Themes

The poem explores the themes of identity, uncertainty, and the search for one's true self. The speaker of the poem is a wanderer who has been away from home for years and is reflecting on their journey. They are uncertain about their identity and who they have become after years of wandering. The poem touches on the idea that the journey to find oneself is never easy and that it takes time and self-reflection to truly understand who we are.

Stylistic Devices

One of the defining features of Emily Dickinson's poetry is her use of unconventional syntax and punctuation. In "I years had been from home," Dickinson uses dashes, which are often used to create pauses or interruptions in the flow of the poem. The use of dashes in this poem creates a sense of hesitation and uncertainty, reflecting the speaker's own doubts and insecurities.

The poem also contains vivid imagery, such as "the desert strange" and "the foreign air." These images evoke a sense of isolation and displacement, highlighting the speaker's feelings of being lost and disconnected from their surroundings.

Interpretation

The poem can be interpreted as a reflection on the human condition and the search for meaning in life. The speaker's journey can be seen as a metaphor for the journey we all take in life to find our place in the world. The uncertainty and doubt expressed in the poem are universal feelings that we all experience at some point in our lives. The poem suggests that the journey to find oneself is not always easy, but it is necessary to truly understand who we are and what we want out of life.

The poem also suggests that the search for one's true self is a continuous process. Even after years of wandering, the speaker is still uncertain about their identity. This highlights the idea that self-discovery is an ongoing journey that requires constant self-reflection and examination.

Conclusion

"I years had been from home" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of identity, uncertainty, and the search for meaning. The poem's structure, form, and stylistic devices all contribute to its powerful message about the human condition. The poem suggests that the journey to find oneself is not always easy, but it is necessary to truly understand who we are and what we want out of life. Emily Dickinson's poetry continues to be relevant today, as her works explore timeless themes that are still relevant to the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and stir the soul. One such masterpiece that has stood the test of time is "I years had been from home" by Emily Dickinson. This poem is a reflection of the poet's longing for home and the comfort it brings. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.

The poem begins with the line "I years had been from home." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "years" emphasizes the length of time the poet has been away from home. This line also creates a sense of distance and isolation, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.

The second line of the poem reads, "And now, before the door, I dared not open." This line creates a sense of hesitation and fear. The poet is afraid to open the door and face what is on the other side. This fear could be a result of the unknown or the fear of rejection. The use of the word "dared" emphasizes the poet's reluctance to face what is on the other side of the door.

The third line of the poem reads, "lest a face I never saw should be enquiring." This line creates a sense of anxiety and uncertainty. The poet is afraid of encountering a stranger who may ask questions about their absence. This fear could be a result of the poet's desire for privacy or the fear of being judged.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "I'm haunted by the homesick fancy." This line is the first indication of the poet's longing for home. The use of the word "haunted" creates a sense of obsession and desperation. The poet is consumed by their desire to return home. The use of the word "homesick" emphasizes the depth of the poet's longing.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "Of others' faces and my own." This line creates a sense of confusion and disorientation. The poet is unable to distinguish between their own face and the faces of others. This confusion could be a result of the poet's long absence from home or the fear of losing their identity.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "My heart beside me like a bee." This line creates a sense of vulnerability and fragility. The poet's heart is compared to a bee, which is a delicate and easily crushed creature. This comparison emphasizes the poet's emotional state and their need for protection.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "Should I guess he wondered why I never went to heaven with the others." This line creates a sense of guilt and shame. The poet is afraid of being judged for their absence from home. The use of the word "guess" emphasizes the poet's uncertainty about what others may think of them.

The eighth line of the poem reads, "For night, for death, for graves." This line creates a sense of despair and hopelessness. The poet is comparing their absence from home to death and the grave. This comparison emphasizes the poet's belief that their life is incomplete without home.

The ninth line of the poem reads, "But high above the sun and moon each waits behind the blinding rain." This line creates a sense of hope and optimism. The poet is suggesting that home is still within reach, despite the obstacles in their way. The use of the words "sun and moon" emphasizes the importance of home in the poet's life.

The tenth line of the poem reads, "I do not think of them, in frosty seasons, now." This line creates a sense of detachment and distance. The poet is suggesting that they have moved on from their past and are focused on the present. The use of the words "frosty seasons" emphasizes the harshness of the poet's past experiences.

The eleventh line of the poem reads, "Their wilderness is gone." This line creates a sense of finality and closure. The poet is suggesting that their past experiences have been resolved and are no longer a source of pain. The use of the word "wilderness" emphasizes the chaos and confusion of the poet's past.

The twelfth and final line of the poem reads, "Now, but themselves and noon, abide." This line creates a sense of peace and contentment. The poet is suggesting that they have found solace in themselves and the present moment. The use of the word "noon" emphasizes the brightness and clarity of the poet's present.

In conclusion, "I years had been from home" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of longing, isolation, and hope. Emily Dickinson's use of language and imagery creates a vivid picture of the poet's emotional state and their desire for home. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke emotions and stir the soul.

Editor Recommended Sites

Recommended Similar Analysis

To my Dear and Loving Husband by Anne Bradstreet analysis
A Winter Night by Sarah Teasdale analysis
proud of his scientific attitude... (13) by e.e. cummings analysis
The Wind-tapped like a tired Man by Emily Dickinson analysis
The Happiest Day, the Happiest Hour by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
An Enigma by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
Voltaire At Ferney by W.H. Auden analysis
Sonnet - Silence by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
Journey Into The Interior by Theodore Roethke analysis
Sounds of grief by Sappho analysis